Kim Hyo-joo of South Korea finished as the runner-up at the FreeD Group Women’s Scottish Open, marking her second second-place finish of the 2023 LPGA Tour season. In a bogey-free final round, Kim carded a impressive 65 with seven birdies at Dundonald Links in Ayrshire, Scotland. She concluded the tournament with a total score of 13-under 275, just two shots behind the champion, Celine Boutier from France.
This was Kim’s seventh top-10 finish and her second runner-up performance, the first being at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in June. The FreeD Group Women’s Scottish Open was the final event before the season’s last major, the AIG Women’s Open, which is set to kick off on Thursday at Walton Heath Golf Club in Surrey, England.
Although Kim entered the final round trailing Boutier by seven strokes, she gradually climbed up the leaderboard with a series of birdies. Her sixth birdie of the day on the par-5 14th hole secured her second place. As Boutier bogeyed the 16th and Kim birdied the 18th, the South Korean golfer found herself trailing by just one stroke in the clubhouse.
However, Boutier, who had just claimed her first major title at the Amundi Evian Championship the previous week, drained a long birdie putt on the 17th hole to extend her lead by two strokes. She then saved par on the 18th hole to clinch the victory.
Kim, who had been dealing with foot pain throughout the week, expressed her surprise and satisfaction with the result. She admitted to not having high expectations for the tournament but credited her lack of pressure for her outstanding performance. Kim hopes to maintain her current form and is optimistic that her foot will start feeling better for the upcoming event.
Another South Korean golfer, Kim A-lim, also had a strong showing at the FreeD Group Women’s Scottish Open. With eight birdies, she held the second-place position through 15 holes but faltered with bogeys on the 16th and 18th holes, ultimately finishing in fourth place at 11-under.
With her consecutive wins at the Evian Championship and the FreeD Group Women’s Scottish Open, Boutier became the first player to achieve this feat. Additionally, she became the first golfer to secure three titles in the 2023 season.
As the golfers prepare for the AIG Women’s Open, which promises to be a highly competitive major championship, Kim Hyo-joo and Celine Boutier have showcased their skill and form, setting the stage for an exciting battle among the world’s best female golfers.
